Kolkata:
The decks were on Sunday cleared for President-in-exile N Srinivasan's possible return to the BCCI top post after a two-judge probe panel found no evidence against his team Chennai Super Kings in the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal which rocked the sixth edition of the event.
Srinivasan could stage a comeback as BCCI chief as early as August 2 when the Board's Working Committee and the IPL Governing Council meet in New Delhi to take a final call on the issue.
The two-member panel, comprising former High Court Judges T Jayaram Chouta and R Balasubramanian, submitted its report to the BCCI Working Committee which met here today amid intense speculation that the Tamil Nadu strongman could get back the job.
The panel was mandated to enquire into the roles of Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was the Team Prinicipal of Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and its co-owner Raj Kundra.
"There is no evidence of any wrongdoing found by the judges against Raj Kundra, India Cements and Rajasthan Royals. The report will now be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council which will take a final decision when it meets on August 2 in New Delhi," BCCI vice-President Niranjan Shah told reporters.
Since the panel's order is binding on the BCCI which makes it clear that Srinivasan will return as Board chief.
Addressing a brief press conference, BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said that the inquiry report will be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council as per the operational rules of the Board.
"IPL Governing Council will meet on August 2 in New Delhi to take a decision on these issues," Dalmiya said.
Asked whether India Cements have been given a clean chit in the report, he said, "The final call will be taken in the IPL Governing Council meeting.
